Day 4 of the ROKETTO Sydney International was not for the faint-hearted.
With both quarterfinals and semifinals packed into a single day, players were pushed to their limits, physically and mentally. Every match felt heavier. Every point mattered more. And for those chasing a spot in Sunday’s finals, the pressure was relentless.
Mixed Doubles: Wu/Lee Unstoppable, Aussies Outpaced
It was a steep mountain to climb for Australians Rio Agustino and Priska Kustiadi, who faced top seeds Wu Guan Xun and Lee Chia Hsin (TPE) in the quarterfinals. From the first rally, Wu/Lee were in complete control, dictating the pace and leaving little room for the Aussies to settle.
Final score: 15-1, 15-3
Later in the day, Wu/Lee returned to court for their semifinal against Japan’s Kawabe/Ishikawa. The Japanese pair held their own early, but once the interval hit, Wu/Lee shifted gears and closed out the match with precision.
Final score: 16-14, 15-4
Meanwhile, fellow Australians Putra/Citra gave fans something to cheer for. Their semifinal clash against Chen/Sung (TPE) was a rollercoaster. After a confident start, the momentum swung. Chen/Sung found their rhythm, and despite a gutsy effort from the Aussies, the match slipped away in three tight games.
Final score: 15-9, 11-15, 13-15
Men’s Singles: Familiar Names Fall, New Finalists Emerge
Last week’s MAXX North Harbour runner-up Ting-Yen Chen (TPE) couldn’t replicate his form. He was outplayed by Wang Yu-Kai, who looked sharp and composed throughout.
Final score: 15-7, 15-11
In another high-stakes quarterfinal, Christian Adinata (INA) took down number one seed, Wang Po-Wei, who had staged a comeback earlier in the tournament but couldn’t find the same spark this time.
Final score: 15-13, 16-14
Adinata and Wang Yu-Kai then met in the semifinals; a clash of two players who had already proven their mettle. It was a tense, tactical battle, with both players trading blows and refusing to give an inch. In the end, Wang edged ahead in straight games, booking his place in the final.
Final score: 15-13, 16-14
In the other semifinal, Liao Jhuo-Fu (TPE) faced Japan’s Toma Noda, and while Noda fought hard, Liao’s consistency and control saw him through.
Final score: 15-7, 18-16
Women’s Singles: Youth Prevails
It looked like Saena Kawakami (AUS) was on track for a semifinal win. She used her experience to control the first game against Japan’s Niina Matsuta, forcing errors and playing with precision. But Matsuta didn’t back down.
Despite trailing in the second game, the 18-year-old rallied with confidence and composure. Her movement sharpened, her shot selection improved, and the momentum shifted. Kawakami couldn’t find answers as Matsuta surged ahead, winning the next two games in dominant fashion.
Final score: 8-15, 15-11, 15-4
In the other semifinal, Chen Su Yu (TPE) and Nodoka Sunakawa (JPN) went toe-to-toe in a 48-minute battle of endurance and mental strength. Long rallies. Constant lead changes. And in the end, Chen, ranked world No. 77, dug deep to take the win.
Final score: 11-15, 15-11, 15-11
Men’s Doubles: Drama, Determination, and a Final Set
The men’s doubles draw delivered some of the day’s most gripping moments.
In the quarterfinals, Masayuki Onodera and Diago Tanioka (JPN) edged past compatriots Yudai Nagafuchi and Kota Ogawa in a match that could’ve gone either way. The rallies were tight, the margins razor-thin, and the Japanese duo held their nerve in the closing stages.
Final score: 17-15, 21-19
But their momentum didn’t carry into the semis. Facing the composed and clinical Bo-Yuan Chen and Tang Kai Wei (TPE), Onodera/Tanioka struggled to find rhythm. Chen/Tang controlled the net and punished loose returns, sealing their spot in the final.
Final score: 15-12, 15-9
The other semifinal was a crowd-pleaser. Haruki Kawabe and Kenta Matsukawa (JPN) took on Eng Keat Wesley Koh and Junsuke Kubo (SGP) in a match full of energy and intent. The Singaporean pair pushed hard in the second game, trying to force a decider. They came agonisingly close — but Kawabe/Matsukawa held firm.
Final score: 15-11, 19-17
Women’s Doubles: Aussies March On
Australia’s Gronya Somerville and Angela Yu continued their dominant run, comfortably defeating TPE juniors Chen/Hsieh to reach the final.
On the other side of the draw, second seeds Chen Su Yu/Yi En Hsieh (TPE) took care of business, beating compatriots Hsieh Chih Ying/Huang Tzu-Ling in straight games.
Final score: 15-8, 15-10.
